The age-old saying “beauty is pain” entails that beauty comes at a high cost – and a painful one at that. While I vehemently disagree with this adage, the re-emergence of the popularity of the derma-roller begs to differ. This needle-lined device lightly pricks the skin as it glides across the face, promising to leave that ever-so-evasive glow in its path.

To be fair, the derma-roller isn’t so painful that it should scare you. In fact, you can use it at home, without assistance, and witness incredible results. It’s effective, even if it pinches a bit.

What’s a Derma-Roller?

The benefits of the derma roller are two-fold: improve the appearance of the skin and, due to penetration of the needles, better absorb active ingredients from topical skincare treatments.

A derma-roller is a device that is equipped with hundreds of tiny needles. When rolled across the skin, a derma-roller creates micro-wounds on the skin. These punctures are what stimulate the skin to repair itself by creating new collagen and regenerating cells. Collagen and elastin are produced on overdrive to heal the wounds and, ultimately, leave your complexion tighter and plumper than it was before. For aging skin, the derma-roller is praised for its ability to fill in fine lines and wrinkles as well as to thicken and plump under-eye skin.

Essentially, the derma-roller is an at-home version of micro-needling, which is a medical procedure that is widely used to improve the complexion, but always in the presence of a trained medical professional. Unlike a more intense, in-office treatment used by dermatologists, such as the derma-pen (electronic micro-needling device that oscillates as it punctures the skin), the derma-roller is affordable and can be used in the comfort of your own home and, thankfully, with a lower pain threshold.

Does it Work?

Micro-needling is a dermatological skin rejuvenation therapy that has been proven to be a simple, safe, effective, and minimally invasive therapeutic technique. The derma-roller is a softened version of micro-needling. It is commonly used to treat acne scars, acne, burn scars, alopecia, stretch marks, crow’s feet, sun damage, rough skin texture, hair loss, wrinkles, and fine lines.

How to Use It

To begin, it is important to address that the efficacy (and potential danger) lies in the size of the needle. The size of the needle depends on what your goals are.

If you simply want to increase skincare product absorption, opt for a 0.25 mm needle, using it every other day. No bleeding or irritation will occur.

If you are looking to treat shallow wrinkles, scars, UV damage, andhyperpigmentationn, use a 0.5 mm needle, but only once every two weeks or month.

A 0.75 mm to 1.0 mm needle thickness is the most effective for all skin conditions, but derma-rollers with such needle thickness ranges will be painful and cause bleeding. You will have to allow at least one week for your skin to heal before seeing results. Skin redness, dryness, and peeling are common. Use these size needles on your derma-roller only once every six weeks! You should only use the derma-roller on skin that is healed and free of any irritation from pervious derma-rolling treatments.

Once you have nailed down the thickness of the needle down, it’s time to cleanse and disinfect the skin and then use the derma-roller! The best step-by-step guide I found was on YouTube, presented by a certified esthetician Gin Amber.

The Takeway

The derma-roller can indeed have an impact on your complexion. However, misuse of the derma-roller can lead to irritation or even infection.

To play it safe and still benefit from the derma-roller, purchase one with 0.25 mm and/or 0.5 mm needle thickness. Graduate to thicker needles once you’ve mastered the craft on yourself and seek deeper results.

Purchase your derma-roller wisely and get rollin’!

Related on EcoSalon
5 Tried and True Beauty Tips from the Middle East
10 Tea Elixirs for Digestion, Complexion, and PMS
Embrace Your Face: How to Love the Skin You Have

The post Deets on the Derma-Roller and Why Puncturing Your Skin May Be Worth It appeared first on EcoSalon.

The following five clean beauty trends are starting off strong going into 2018 and are worth your attention. Make them part of your regular beauty routine to always put your best face forward.

5 Clean Beauty Trends of 2018

1. Anti-Pollution Skincare

We all know pollution is bad for our health, but it also can be hazardous to our skin. In a 2013 study, it was found that the sun’s UV rays are responsible for some 80% of visible facial ageing signs, including wrinkles, hyper-pigmentation, and loss in skin elasticity. Another study conducted in Germany and China showed how increased air pollution lead to brown spots on the skin. Air pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, oxides, particulate matter, ozone, and cigarette smoke are just a few of the many agents that have negative effects on the skin.

It’s no wonder then that anti-pollution skincare is increasing in popularity around the world. In the UK, the anti-pollution skincare market grew by 30% in just six months, with cleansers, face masks, and SPF-based products leading the charge.

Some standout products include Kiehl’s Cilantro & Orange Extract Pollutant Defending Masque, Clinque’s City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector, Dr. Andrew Weil’s Mega-Bright Dark Spot Correcting Serum, and REN’s Flash Defence Anti-Pollution Mist.

2. Oil Cleansers

Oils aren’t just for moisturizing. In fact, they can be used to cleanse the skin as well. How do they work? When massaged into the skin, oils in a cleanser bind to surface dirt and grime and enable them to be comfortably rinsed away, leaving behind skin that is clean, soft, and hydrated.

For those of us with particularly dry skin, oil cleanses make for a gentle and less harsh, moisture-stripping alternative to regular soaps. Great options: Tata Harper’s Nourishing Oil Cleanser, Mahalo’s UNVEIL Cleanse Melt Concentrate, May Lindstrom’s Pendulum Potion, and Cocokind’s Facial Cleansing Oil.

3. Crystal-Infused Skincare Products

The year 2017 saw an upsurge in the popularity of healing crystals, and 2018 won’t let up. One of the more unique ways in which crystals are being integrated into daily wellness routines is for beauty purposes.

Idil Pekar’s Hungarian Thermal Water Tonik is made with clear crystal quartz; Dr. Brandt’s Ruby Retinol Hydracrème is infused with a ruby crystal complex; Nails Inc’s The Mindful Manicure range of nail polishes contains flecks of rose quartz, tourmaline, and citrine for love and good vibes; Glossier’s Haloscope highlighters are enhanced with real Rose Quartz or Golden Topaz; Själ’s Kashmir Saphir Perfecting Mask contains blue copper, blue sapphire, and blue lotus for restorative, firming, and regenerative benefits.

4. Bright Eye Shadows

Here’s a fun trend that you don’t have to resort to toxic beauty products to indulge in. Achieve a statement look with Alima Pure, Lily Lolo, and Ecco Bella!

5. Jade Facial Rollers

Jade rollers are handheld massaging tools that are made with one or two naturally cold jade stone heads that, when rolled across the face, allegedly boost blood circulation, decrease under-eye swelling, and help the skin to absorb beauty products better. Try one for around $25.

Related on EcoSalon
Is Quartz a Master Healing Crystal?
Should You Put Jade Eggs in Your Vagina?
Want to Cut Pollution? Go Childless

The post 5 Clean Beauty Trends You Don’t Want to Miss in 2018 appeared first on EcoSalon.

Blustery winter weather can be harsh on our bodies, particularly the skin and hair. And when those areas appear dry, it usually means they’re craving a healthy dose of thirst-quenching moisture.

Fortunately, your winter beauty concerns have been turned into solutions thanks to this selective list of products featuring ethical brands with naturally-derived, cruelty-free ingredients.

1. Lower the Shower Temp

We’ve probably all heard a time or two (thousand) that hot showers are bad for our hair and skin. Not only are they drying, but hot showers strip you of your natural oils, which experts believe may trigger inflammation and exacerbation of skin conditions. This is said to be especially true when that shower is above 99 degrees. Fortunately, by adding this nifty temperature gauge, you can be sure your winter showers are less damaging.

2. Moisturize Not Once, But Twice

During harsh winter conditions, it’s perfectly fine (and even encouraged) to moisturize your body twice a day. This organic hand and body lotion from Puracy is the perfect candidate for doing just that. In fact, I use this myself on my highly-sensitive skin. Hydrating without feeling greasy or leaving any residue, this gentle formula really is fragrance-free, silky, and luxurious.

3. Tame Dryness and Frizz

Another product I use regularly is this rosehip seed body oil from Life-flo. It’s excellent for putting moisture back into dry winter hair and works wonders for hydrating my skin after showering or cleansing. The smell is mild, doesn’t irritate my skin, and a few drops go a long way, making it very economical.

4. Continue Wearing Sunscreen

Just because the harsh summer sun is in hiding, doesn’t mean you’re out of the woods in the winter. Yes, the UV index is at its lowest around this time, but it still exists and can still cause skin damage. That’s why sunscreen is a year-round must. Designed to be a nutrient-replenishing cream plus SPF 30 sunscreen, you’ll benefit greatly by using this Josh Rosebrook product that was tested and recommended by staff at Organic Authority.

5. Use a Humidifier

Winter air equals dry air. And when the air has more humidity in it, the risk of infection and viral transmission is lowered, you’ll have softer, more radiant skin, you’ll breathe easier, and experience a host of other benefits. This particular humidifier also incorporates aromatherapy so you can de-stress while you re-hydrate.

6. Hydrate Your Face

Winter wind can be unforgiving, especially on the face. Therefore, a high-quality natural moisturizer is recommended, especially if you live in an extreme climate and/or already have dry skin. Suggested by the manufacturer for dry or very dry skin, this ultra-sheer moisturizer from Andalou Naturals is non-GMO, SPF 18, and scored well with EWG.

7. Lock In Lip Moisture

If you already suffer from dry, flaky, chapped lips year-round (slowly raises hand), then you know just how harsh winter weather can be on the mouth. However, it is possible to lock-in moisture with the right product. Highly recommended by many wearers, this Intense Therapy Lip Balm with SPF 25 by Jack Black just might do the trick.

8. Drink More Water

Sure, we’ve all heard this before, but its importance never diminishes, especially during the winter, when it’s crucial to hydrate from the inside-out. Silly post-its on the wall, a pestering app, or a gorgeous insulated bottle–it doesn’t matter what it takes, just do it–although, I am totally partial to this mother of pearl container from S’well. Bonus: aside from being, quite possibly, the best looking water bottle ever, it keeps your drink cold for 24 hours or hot for twelve.

9. Pamper Your Hands

Forget dry, chapped, peeling hands this winter. Instead, pamper your digits with this specially-designed hand salve from Badger Balm. Sweet birch and wintergreen oils soothe, while aloe and castor oil moisturize. If you are prone to severely dry hands, apply after every hand washing, and don’t forget to rub into your cuticles, as well.

10. And Your Feet, Too

Even if you keep your feet bundled up when heading outdoors, the combination of dry air, hot showers, and other factors, like naturally dry feet and calluses, still call for extra moisture. Hydrate and escape to the tropics (at least in your own mind) no matter where you are this winter by incorporating this pampering Coconut Foot Creme from Burt’s Bees into your routine.

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

Related on EcoSalon

5 Social Media Influencers Share Their Top Tips on Cruelty-Free Glamour (Always Be Camera-Ready!)
Hey Girl, We’ve Got All the Party-Ready Beauty Trends You Need Right Here
Yes! Natural Beauty Brands are Everywhere (But These are the 10 You Need Now)

The post The 10 Natural Beauty Products Your Body Will Be Craving This Winter appeared first on EcoSalon.

Social media is packed with image after image of flawless-looking women living life to the fullest. No matter what their platform is, be it fitness, food, or lifestyle, all of these influencers do what they do with a dazzling smile, perfect hair, and glowing skin. With holiday parties galore and tons of pictures being snapped (with or without our permission), we all want to look our best at any given moment. Let’s be real, sometimes we just can’t edit away an awful hair day, and we all have that friend who doesn’t have an eye for the right filter. To help us through the holidays, we got the insider tips on how to achieve effortless, cruelty-free glamour from the social media mavens who are always on point.

Meet The Influencers:

1. Devyn Howard (@DiningwithDevyn): Television host, media personality, and Instagram darling. This San Diego native epitomizes an effortless, laid-back Southern California style. Her daily Instagram and Instastories will have you drooling over her tantalizing plant-based meals and make you envy her photo-shoot-ready beauty.

2. Agnes Muljadi (@artsyagnes): Professional ballerina, vegan advocate, and entrepreneur. One scroll through Agnes’ gorgeous Instagram profile – with 329K followers – made us beg for her beauty and fashion tips. Fully embracing the ballerina image, Agnes’ look exemplifies classic beauty and grace. 

3. Nicole Derseweh (@NicoleDerseweh): Actress, personal chef, and curator of the wildly popular plant-based Unicorn and Mermaid brunches in Los Angeles, this stylish redhead spreads good vibes through her colorful food and vivacious personality. With fun accessories and a statement-making wardrobe, Nicole can make any style look straight from the runway.

4. Taryn Rasgon (@Vegetaryn): Entrepreneur and owner of her own plant-based apparel line, Vegetaryn, this girl rocks a laid-back vibe of sweatshirts and tees while still looking fabulous. With perfect hair and expertly-applied eyeliner, Taryn makes sweats look good.

5. Michelle Marquis (@ellemarquis): Personal plant-based chef with a clientele of celebrities and Los Angeles elite. She rocks a punk style with bold lips and dark accessories, but in person she is as sweet as can be. She focuses on allergen-friendly, vibrant meals, and is most recently known for her pop-up “Awful Waffle” brunches.

Learn Their Secrets

1. Eat the Rainbow

All of the influencers we asked swore by eating a plant-based diet; in fact, it was their first tip. There’s no doubt you are what you eat, and your diet is reflected in your hair, skin, and nails. Taryn swore that her vegetable-heavy diet makes her glow naturally from the inside out. Agnes seconded this idea. She drinks a glass of green juice every morning to keep her skin clear, naturally. Nicole makes her own weekly beautification tonic, which includes fresh young coconut, water, raw aloe, lime juice, and fresh mint. 

2. Take Care of Your Skin

When your skin looks good, you look good. Each gal has a slightly different routine, but all focused on daily cleansing and moisturizing. Taryn keeps things basic by cleansing with Pacifica’s Coconut Micellar Water Cleanser, which is available at Target.

For those with super sensitive skin, try Agnes’ suggestion. She uses Naturally Lindy products for everything from simple cleansers to acne prevention. “It’s aloe vera based, vegan and cruelty free!” she promised.

Devyn is a bit more regimented, due to her occupation as an on-camera host. “I have to wear a lot of makeup everyday, so it’s very important to me to make sure I take it all off at the end of the day,” she cautioned. “I use the Alba Botanica Volcanic Ash Cleanser and the Osea Malibu Eyes & Lips moisturizer. They’re made of seaweed, and I absolutely love it! I also occasionally cleanse with Micellar water and will do a red algae or clay mask if I feel a break out coming on. Weekly, I also apply the Osea Malibu Hyaluronic acid to stimulate collagen production and prevent wrinkles. I also recently started applying a Vitamin C serum each night that helps reduce blackheads and brighten skin. I’m loving it!”

3. Cruelty-Free Makeup Tips

With a clear canvas of beautiful skin, makeup isn’t necessary, but it can add a nice touch to accentuate your natural beauty. Plus, its fun to play! Each influencer emphasized the importance of purchasing cruelty-free brands. Favorites included Kat Von D, NYX, Lime Crime, and Elf.

Elle shared her secret to her stand-out look: focus on just one element. “I pretty much only do eye make up and maybe a matte lip,” she said. She uses the NYX liquid black eyeliner for her signature pop. “Usually, I don’t have a lot of time between cooking, visits to the gym and delivering food around to my clients, so you’ll almost always find me with my thick black eyeliner! I love this look, because it is so versatile.”

4. Wear Timeless, Sustainable Fashion

Of course, all of these animal-loving glamour girls steer clear of clothing made from animals. However, each upped the fashion game by insisting that sustainable, ethical fashion is an equally important factor. For unique finds from shoes, accessories, and clothing, the gals suggested Bead & Reel, Mat & Nat, MooShoes, and Reformation. On a budget? Nicole, Devyn, and Michelle advocated thrift shopping. Michelle, who attended fashion school, gushed, “Thrifting is a great way to not only save money but it also allows you look cute as Hell without harming the environment!”

When shopping for that perfect outfit, Agnes advised, “Comfort and ease is everything to me. I typically prefer high waisted, loose clothes since I find them to be more flattering and give the illusion of longer legs.”

For a cute, comfy look that makes a statement, check out Taryn’s vegan apparel line, Vegetaryn. All of her tanks, tees, and sweatshirts are incredibly comfortable and surprisingly flattering. With tongue-in-cheek sayings like, “If Looks Could Kale,” “#VeganAF,” and “Basic Vegan Babe – Extra Hot,” you’ll look cool and confident.

Want to stand out? Follow Nicole’s fashion sense by adding statement accessories to your wardrobe. Think colorful, chunky necklaces, vibrant sunglasses with unique frames, and eye-popping, attention-grabbing earrings.

Tanya Flink is a vegan, foodie, and certified Master Personal Trainer based in Orange County, CA. She is also the host of the podcast, “The Vegan Potluck.”

Related on EcoSalon
5 Glam Looks Perfect for Ringing in the New Year
Brow and Lip Plumping Tips From an Expert
Yes! Natural Beauty Brands are Everywhere (But These are 10 You Need Now)

The post 5 Social Media Influencers Share Their Top Tips on Cruelty-Free Glamour (Always Be Camera-Ready!) appeared first on EcoSalon.

It’s almost autumn, which is a good enough excuse to hop on the pumpkin train (or tractor?) and start incorporating its deliciousness into just about everything possible. What better way to start than with your beauty routine? As you await the first harvest of fresh pumpkins, you might as well whet your appetite with a body scrub that drowns your senses with wholesome aromas and the occasional (not so accidental) taste test. 

Beauty Benefits of Pumpkin Pie Body Scrub

Four ingredients are all it takes to attain clean, smooth, supple skin that emits a soft pumpkin pie scent.

Pumpkin is full of alpha hydroxy acids, which moisturize and smooths skin as well as help to prevent wrinkles. They also improve photo-damaged skin. Pumpkin is also rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin A. These antioxidants work to rejuvenate the skin, synthesize collagen, decrease the appearance of fine wrinkles associated with natural aging, and protect against the negative effects of solar radiation.

The sugar acts as a natural exfoliant that gets rid of dead skin cells, revealing a bright and clear complexion. Meanwhile, almond oil’s emollient and anti-inflammatory properties soothe and calm the skin, and cinnamon provides anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that protect the skin from acne. Honey adds a lightly sweet aromatic finish that happens to have antibacterial and soothing qualities.

What You’ll Need

Besides the ingredients themselves, all you need is an airtight container (preferably made of glass) to store your pumpkin pie body scrub.

Pumpkin Pie Body Scrub Recipe

Two to three uses

Ingredients

• 1 cup coarse raw sugar
• 1/2 organic pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 tablespoon sweet almond oil
• 1 drop of cinnamon oil or 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, pumpkin puree, honey, and almond oil together until well combined. Add more or less sugar and oil until you reach desired consistency. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator between uses.

To use the scrub, rub it into wet skin, paying extra attention to elbows, knees, and feet. Cautiously use on facial skin. The sugar may be too abrasive, especially for sensitive facial skin. Rinse skin clean and pat dry. Repeat once per week for best results.

Related on EcoSalon
8 Best Organic and Natural Scrubs
Exfoliate from Head to Toe (Literally) with 4 Natural Scrubs
6 Microbead-Free Exfoliating Body Scrubs for Rough Skin

The post 4-Ingredient DIY Pumpkin Pie Body Scrub: Exfoliating Never Tasted So Good! appeared first on EcoSalon.

Getting your greens takes on new meaning when we start talking seaweed skin benefits. You know your skin feels great after a day at the beach. Salt water and humidity have a way of doing that. Now for reaping the skin loving benefits of a plant from under the sea.

Seaweed is making a real name for itself. Pretty much any healthy living guru will tell you it is a nutrient-rich addition to your diet. As with most healthy ingredients, skin loves the superfood, too.

Technically a type of algae, there are three main colors of seaweed — green, red, and brown. Seaweed powders and extracts are added to skincare products, like cleansers, toners, masks, serums, and moisturizers.

One brand that is completely behind seaweed skin benefits and uses them in product formulations is OSEA. Take a look at EcoSalon’s interview with OSEA founder, Jenefer Palmer, to find out why she made seaweed the star of her natural skincare line.

It seems seaweed is making a splash in other areas of personal care, as well. Market research shows the ingredient showed up (usually in the form of brown or red seaweed) in approximately two percent of new body care products launched from January 2011 to October 2015.

7 Seaweed Skin Benefits

1. Detoxifying: Seaweed has many jobs in the ocean and one is to remove pollutants, like heavy metals, from the water. It works similarly on skin, drawing out impurities and detoxing the skin. If you’ve been under stress, ill, or in need of a skin pick-me-up, this potent ingredient is the answer.

2. Anti-Aging: Seaweed is packed with micronutrients and antioxidants, helping to fight free radical damage which can lead to premature aging. Incorporate this healthy ingredient into your skin routine to support youthful skin.

3. Firm & Tighten: Often found in anti-aging serums and moisturizers, seaweed gives skin a firmer appearance and natural radiance. It also has a slight tightening effect, making pores look more refined.

4. Moisturizing: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, seaweed moisturizes, softens, and balances oil production. A highly effective treatment for skin that is dehydrated or rough, it is gentle enough for most skin types.

5. Soothing: Super calming to skin, seaweed is well suited for sensitive skin types and rosacea. Use to reduce redness and irritation.

6. Brightening: Seaweed has natural lightening abilities, diminishing the look of dark spots and evening out skin tone. A summertime must-have.

7. Purifying: Naturally antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, seaweed is an effective solution for treating acne-prone skin. The natural soothing effect also helps to tone down the look of breakouts.

Seaweed Skincare Products for Every Skin Type

Amala Beauty Brightening Corrective Concentrate is a youth-enhancing serum includes algae to boost cell turnover, eliminate dullness, and lessen the look of dark spots.

Dr. Alkaitis Soothing Gel contains red seaweed to soothe, hydrate, and provide antibacterial benefits. Works well on sensitive and acne-prone skin types.

A super calming and revitalizing skin treatment, Source Vital Sea Tonic may be used as a purifying toner, refreshing facial mist, to set makeup, or in combination with a powder mask.

Ready for a superfood skin treat? Lilfox Chlorophyll + Tourmaline Brightening Mask is packed with sea clay, seaweed, green tea, and tourmaline crystals to improve circulation and fight free radicals.

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

Related on EcoSalon
7 Greens for Skin: Get Benefits of Seaweed in Skincare
Benefits of Sea Salt: Bring the Beach to Skin and Hair
How to Lighten Sun Spots and Brighten Skin Naturally

The post How to Get in on Magical Seaweed Skin Benefits (Plus Superfood Skincare Picks) appeared first on EcoSalon.

If there were a Hall of Fame for natural ingredients, carrot, rosehip, and sea buckthorn would be like Louis Armstrong — inducted early and forever cherished. But thanks to the ever-curious, plant-loving whizzes in anti-aging skincare these days, there are plenty of other botanical ingredients out there that deserve just as much hype.

From fading brown spots to repairing DNA, check out the new skin transformers in town and why they’re worth making room for.

1. Nettle Leaf

If you’re gung-ho about aging gracefully and preventing premature fine lines and sagging, getting vitamins A and C inside and onto your body is non-negotiable. Vitamin A is treasured for its ability to encourage healthy skin cell production, while vitamin C protects from environmental damage. Nettle leaf is ultra-rich in both, making it a superstar nemesis against wrinkles.

But that’s not all. “Along with the most optimal ratios of skin-beautifying vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, nettle delivers one of the highest percentages of naturally occurring silica. Silica is incredible for increasing skin firmness and elasticity. It is called ‘nature’s Band-Aid’ because it binds the underlying cellular structure together,” April Gargiulo, founder of Vintner’s Daughter, tells EcoSalon. The glowing skincare expert also notes that nettle is one of the most nutrient-dense botanicals in the world, “so much so that in ancient times it was called ‘the food of life.’”

Find it in: Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum

2. Dioscorea Batatas Root Extract

Dioscorea Batatas, also known as Chinese Yam or “fairy food,” has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine for its antioxidant activity (in other words, its ability to protect the body from environmental aggressors like pollution and UV rays). Oh, and if you happen to be looking for a way to add a bit of metaphysics to your skincare ritual, get this: Many people refer to Dioscorea Batatas as “The Root of Light,” as they believe the fleshy portion of the yam carries a light source that can be transferred to people, which then delivers energetic qualities that can support physical and spiritual health. Whether or not you believe it, you will believe your eyes once you see your newly perfected skin.

Find it in: Kjaer Weis Beautiful Oil

3. Yangu Oil

Also called Cape Chestnut, yangu is gathered and pressed for its precious oil by the locals, the Maasai of Africa. The oil is so effective at protecting skin from the sun (the top cause of premature aging) that the elderly Maasai enjoy smooth, glowing, and firm skin even though they hang out under the sun for hours every day. This is thanks to yangu oil’s rich content of protective antioxidants and essential fatty acids, which help keep skin hydrated, plump, soft, and elastic.

Find it in: May Lindstrom Blue Cocoon

4. Kigelia Africana Fruit Extract

This triple-threat ingredient is a godsend if you haven’t bid farewell to breakouts after your angsty teenage years—and it’s not only because of its bacteria-fighting properties. Kigelia extract is also anti-aging and calming, meaning you don’t have to sacrifice your wrinkle-fighting endeavors—even if your skin is sensitive and easily prone to irritation.

“It’s vital to protect your delicate skin barrier no matter what concern you’re trying to address,” says Jene Roestorf, founder of Luxe Botanics. “Many people, especially those with sensitive skin, harm their skin when they slather on harsh anti-acne ingredients. Kigelia is an exotic botanical from Malawi, which not only prevents and minimizes breakouts because of natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, but nourishes, soothes, and strengthens skin with its miraculous DNA-repairing powers.”

Find it in: Luxe Botanics Kigelia Clarifying Serum

5. Hibiscus

You can’t seek a natural anti-aging solution and ignore something called “nature’s Botox plant,” right?! Like many botanical extracts, hibiscus protects skin from free radical damage, while firming and lifting. But on top of that, the mighty flower reduces appearance of pores, speeds up cell turnover, and prevents and minimizes blemishes because it contains alpha-hydroxy acid (AHAs). AHAs are chemical compounds that occur naturally in fruits, sugar cane, and milk. When applied topically, AHAs dissolve dead skin cells, which means you get clarified pores and smooth skin.

Find it in: Mahalo Pele Mask

6. Scarlet Pimpernel

Bleaching agents: ew. Vitamin C in the form of L-ascorbic acid: ouch. If dark spots and damage from over-sunning are your main skin concern, get all over scarlet pimpernel, which is celebrated for its ability to help lighten and brighten skin. It’s also known to soothe and calm skin (so even sensitive-skinned folks can get in on it)!

7. Red Clover

Red clover is prized for all its antioxidants, including the ultimate brightener vitamin C, but it’s really a winner because it also cleanses skin and stimulates the lymphatic system, which drains out toxins. The end result is clear, decongested, and luminous skin.

Find the above two in: Laurel Whole Plant Organics Sun Damage Repair Facial Serum 

Related on EcoSalon

This is How to ‘Eat Beautiful’: A Cookbook for Your Skin
Do Collagen Supplements Really Make Skin Look Better?
8 Nighttime Skin Care Products Worth Buying

The post 7 Totally Exotic Anti-Aging Skincare Ingredients You Need in Your Life Right Now appeared first on EcoSalon.

We’ve all heard the old adage, you are what you eat, but Wendy Rowe really takes it to heart in her new cookbook, ‘Eat Beautiful.’

Rowe boasts 20 years of experience as an international makeup artist, working with such stars as Nicole Kidman, Diane Kruger, and Sienna Miller, who wrote the book’s introduction. This experience was leveraged for the creation of this beautiful book, filled to the brim with dietary tips and tricks to improve the health of your skin.

The front of the book features useful charts and lists including Rowe’s “Beauty Betrayers and Saviors” (the former include refined sugar and alcohol, while the latter include fresh produce and coconut water) as well as her guide to what to keep in the pantry to keep your skin looking beautiful (avocado, turmeric, molasses and more).

Beyond this introduction to how to care for your skin through diet, the book is organized by season, with guides to the different skin-boosting benefits of ingredients like eggs, coriander, pomegranate, salmon, and white tea. Each season also features several exquisitely photographed recipes, ranging from breakfast to dessert. Many of the recipes are plant-based, though there are a few featuring iron-rich meat and omega-3 rich fish as well.

The coriander and beetroot salad with avocado and mint is a simple lunchtime treat, including ample fresh herbs which boost both the flavor of the salad and the health of your skin, thanks to their ability to balance blood sugar.

The meatballs arrabbiata were tasty – albeit a bit dry (bake them for ten minutes instead of 15). The sauce was fresh in flavor with just the right amount of kick.

It was the sticky chili beef that had my household convinced: the simple, flavorful marinade transformed grass-fed beef into a succulent, spicy treat with just a hint of sweetness from the honey. This recipe really encapsulates what Rowe’s recipes do best: they’re super flavorful with just a few ingredients and easy to pull together, usually in under 30 minutes. And of course, knowing that they’re good for your skin is the icing on the cake.

Related on EcoSalon
The Not-So-Scary Reason You Need Natural Skincare Products
Why Probiotics Could Save Your Skin (Yes, Bacteria!)
Why It’s Important to Apply Natural Skincare in the Right Order (and How to Do it Right)

The post This is How to ‘Eat Beautiful’: A Cookbook for Your Skin appeared first on EcoSalon.

City life has plenty of perks, but the effect on your skin is not one of them. Urban fumes and toxins are not on your side, but green beauty is striking back with anti-pollution skincare.

Protecting your skin from simply the air around you may sound a little extreme (and paranoid), but if ignored day after day, it can eventually take a very real toll on its health.

The concept behind anti-pollution skincare is nothing new. In fact, it’s a refined version of what natural beauty does best–mostly antioxidants, and lots of them. City air, thanks to our good friend fossil fuels (not), is full of free radicals which are the main cause of cell damage.

One of the biggest concerns as a result is premature skin aging, but studies have shown that certain kinds of pollution can also irritate existing conditions such as atopic dermatitis or sensitize your skin.

The enemy may be invisible, but it doesn’t mean you can’t fight back; just get this beauty arsenal on your side and ditch urban skin for good.

5 Anti-Pollution Beauty Solutions

1. De Mamiel Pure Calm Cleansing Dew 

When you’re exposed to city grime on a daily basis, a good cleansing routine isn’t an option, it’s a necessity. Skin needs to be thoroughly cleansed (without over stripping), especially in the evenings, to wash away pollutants and allow it to repair unhindered overnight. Massage this emulsifying cleansing oil deep into all the nooks and crannies of your face to effectively lift away impurities. The added bonus is that free radical fighting botanicals like red raspberry seed oil and barbary fig seed oil will lend a helping hand to your skin’s natural recovery process (and leave it baby soft.)

2. Tata Harper Purifying Mask

Nothing injects life into a dull, tired complexion like a good face mask. After a long week being exposed to all the city has to throw at it, your skin will thank you for this potent dose of detoxing clay and plant extracts. A side of probiotics will also ensure that your skin’s natural protective barrier is balanced and ready for future combat with environmental hazards. Bring on the damage control!

3. 100% Pure Organic Matcha Anti-Aging: Shielding Serum

Because matcha isn’t just good for trendy lattes. Known for having off-the-chart levels of antioxidants, it seems to be the perfect answer to combating all of those pesky, free-floating toxins that come into contact with skin. One particular compound, epigallocatechin gallate, which matcha offers hefty amounts of, has been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory effects and may even protect against sun damage. Just pat this lightweight water-based serum all over your face morning and night and you’re set.

4. Osea Atmosphere Protection Cream

More into your creams than serums for your moisture needs? There are the tried and true ingredients in here like jojoba oil, shea butter, and avocado oil which will meet your skin’s nourishment needs alongside soothing any inflammation caused by environmental factors. The little twist though is Osea’s penchant for marine botanicals, as algae extract is what gives this moisturizer it’s anti-pollution kick. Mineral and antioxidant rich, it boosts the skin’s natural barrier.

5. Intelligent Nutrients PureServe Color Shield

While skin is certainly vulnerable to pollution, hair can be even more so. It is more often than not openly exposed to the elements and has a tendency to absorb anything it comes into contact with, including pollutants. This is especially true for colored hair, as the chemical processes involved with dying your ‘do make it more porous and susceptible to damage. This protective spray does the double duty of defending against oxidization (caused by free radicals, which can fade color) and making hair more manageable and glossy.

Related on EcoSalon
Why Probiotics Could Save Your Skin (Yes, Bacteria!)
Air Pollution Visualized Thanks to This Real-Time Map
5 Detoxing Face Masks to Get You Glowing

The post 5 Anti-Pollution Green Beauty Product Heroes for Your City Skin Woes appeared first on EcoSalon.

Great business ideas often start small and simple, with a vision to make the world a better place. For Poéthique founder, Gayatri Pradhan, that vision was to deliver safe plant-based ingredients that could replicate the sensory experience of high-end skincare products, but without the toxic ingredients still all-too-common in our skincare industry.

As a former marketing executive for global skincare brands, Pradhan knew there were opportunities to create a better product. Not just an opportunity—a dire need to do it. And it helped that she was a trained pharmaceutical chemist who understood that making a natural, green product that was not only effective, but also felt great to use, involved a whole lot more than simply blending together ingredients–there’s an art and a science to the natural stuff as much as the conventional.

“We’ve come such a long way with our knowledge of natural ingredients,” says Pradhan.

“People think of cultural beauty wisdom as this old, ancient thing, almost like a static body that hasn’t grown or evolved in years. But every passing generation adds something new,” she says. “This body of knowledge is a living, growing thing. And so I knew there had to be a way to get to a product that was green but also felt great.”

Pradhan’s Indian heritage, passion for travel, and thirst for learning converged into a singular goal of trying to bring the best and most effective natural ingredients into products that actually work. With her keen eye for design, she has been able to bring to life a brand that stands out from the earthy and minimalist brands that abound in natural skincare and addresses the growing concerns of consumers from all walks of life, but in particular, millennials and their quest for clean, green beauty that performs as well as or better than the conventional products beloved by their mothers and grandmothers.

“Our generation is interested in all natural lifestyles in such a paradigm-shifting way. There had to be other green chemistry experts out there that recognized this and wanted to add to this body of knowledge.”

One such expert is Patricia Mirabito, a cosmetic chemist with more than twenty years of formulation experience under her belt, and the key formulator for Poéthique’s unique products. As director of her own chemistry laboratory in Buenos Aires, her reputation has been built through her sought-after work for the region’s most respected dermatologists.

Patricia had always been interested in active natural ingredients and botanical extracts and used them extensively in her practice. However, prior to Poéthique, she typically blended these botanical ingredients with standard cosmetic industry chemicals, thinking of them as necessities to get to a stable product that worked and felt great to use.

“There are some synthetic ingredients that have become such an industry standard that I wasn’t sure it could be done without them,” says Mirabito.

The problem is that the indulgent experience of luxury conventional skincare brands typically comes from silicones and other polymers that are often composed of the same materials that go into making plastic goods like tires, bags, etc. They may offer temporary results, but don’t deliver the long-term benefits of natural plant-based ingredients. And several of these non-natural ingredients are being exposed as harmful toxins, impacting human endocrine systems through both acute and cumulative exposure.

With Poéthique, Mirabito’s natural instincts for problem solving were tuned to formulating a 100 percent plant-based product without sacrificing the indulgent experience of high-end skincare brands.

“I have so many friends that would love to make the switch from green beauty products but try them and turn back to their default non-natural brands, because the experience is just not enjoyable,” says Pradhan. “It feels like they have to take a medicine–but beauty and skincare is not a medicine! It is as much about the experience as it is about the results.”

So the duo set out to reinvent the beauty care industry relying on nature’s inherent beauty wisdom. While this is certainly not the first green beauty brand on the scene–they did have a specific task in mind. The twosome wanted to create products that could work across multiple skin types, across multiple climates, and that would layer well with other skincare routines. Consistently, they had found that many existing green beauty brands felt heavy and greasy to use, making them not suitable to all skin types, nor could they be used in all manner of season or climate. They knew their work was cut out for them – making something that is effective was a given, but having people go WOW! when they tried the product would be the hurdle to cross. Passionate about helping more people make the switch to clean, green beauty, they wanted their products to make it easy for people looking to make a switch.

It didn’t disappoint. From Pradhan’s early vision, the journey took close to two years as they approached various suppliers, consulted with other experts in green cosmetic chemistry, pushed for better results, and built prototype after prototype testing treasured natural ingredients from cultures all across the globe. Their search for unique ingredients took them all over the world – from the mountainous regions of Peru to the sub-tropical rainforests of Australia; from the heart of India and sweeping Mediterranean groves to California’s lush valleys. There they found such exotic and powerful ingredients as the caviar lime, chock full of fruit acids, vitamins, and trace minerals, and wild plums abundant in vitamins and antioxidants. They also recognized the utility of well-known ingredients such as oats, olive, and jojoba oils.

 Armed with these ingredients, they formulated their first line of products, meant to balance skin health – a cleanser, serum, and moisturizer. As a new brand, they decided to launch the products in phases, using each product to introduce green, toxin-free beauty lovers to unique ingredients. The launch product, Poéthique’s Radiance Boosting Serum, is loaded with caviar lime and wild plum extracts and acts as a treatment to gently accelerate skin’s renewal process to reveal softer, brighter skin. In releasing the serum first, Pradhan wanted to showcase the uniqueness of ingredient, the high quality of the product that could layer easily with a person’s existing beauty regimen.

When product testers begged for more of the sixth round of prototypes, the two knew they had a hit on their hands. Their work has been validated over and over by the green beauty community. Users consistently rate it highly for effectiveness and experience, while bloggers love it and have called it their “new green beauty obsession!” Well on its way to becoming a cult favorite, Poéthique’s journey has only just begun. 

 “Entrepreneurship is such a gut-wrenching, heart-stopping ride,” says Pradhan. “We put so much passion and hard work and expertise into developing Poéthique, and we got feedback along the way to make sure we were going in the right direction,” she says.

“Once we went live, I was a nervous wreck! What if no one bought this? What if no one loved it? And then to hear the reviews come in, it’s such sweet relief and a validation of all the work we have put in–it powers us for the hard work ahead as we nurture Poéthique and the customers who believe in green beauty products that work.”

Find Jill on Twitter and Instagram

Related on Organic Authority

Why It’s Important to Apply Natural Skincare in the Right Order (and How to Do It)
Experience the Best Clean Beauty Samples Delivered to Your Door
Plastic Hormones: Environmental Estrogen is Everywhere (Including Inside You)

The post Poéthique: Finding the Beauty Wisdom in Nature appeared first on EcoSalon.